HC Deb 24 March 1960 vol 620 cc657-8
20. Mrs. White

asked the Minister of Education how many schools wishing to retain pupils for a fifth year of secondary education are unable to do so owing to shortage of staff.

Sir D. Eccles

Until we get more teachers there are bound to be a number of these schools, but I cannot say how many.

Mrs. White

But if the right hon. Gentleman is dependent upon the voluntary choice of pupils gathering momentum, as he said in the debate the other day, is it not his business to know how many schools are meeting the requirements and how many are not? Otherwise, will he not agree that we shall have many more incidents such as that in Kidlington recently where the pupils themselves will make their own protests?

Sir D. Eccles

This is a matter for research and one which I intend to have examined by my Department.